Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Erythrocytes and Their Red Blood Cell Indices in Helicobacter Pylori Patients.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is quite prevalent in Saudi Arabia, causing multiple health issues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of H. pylori on the development of anemia and to measure the levels of CD71+/CD235a+ and CD36+ cells in the peripheral blood of H. pylori individuals.

Methods: This study included 145 participants (85 patients with H. pylori and 60 healthy controls) and was conducted in Taif City between August and December 2023. A t-test was used to examine the differences in red blood cell (RBC) indices and the surface markers of RBCs.

Results: We found that patients with H. pylori had lower levels of RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). We also showed that the levels of CD71+/CD235a+ cells were higher in the H. pylori group than in the control group. However, CD36+ cells decreased in people with H. pylori compared with the controls.

Conclusions: H. pylori infection is linked to the onset of microcytic hypochromic anemia and the circulation of immature erythroid (CD71+/CD235a+) cells. H. pylori diminishes the expression of CD36 in affected patients. Regular evaluation of hematological parameters and eradication of H. pylori infection are advised to mitigate the extragastric health consequences of H. pylori infection.